If I, a death row inmate, am not to become a demon, am I to become a member of the Imperial Guard?

The lingering heat of the abyss still burned on his back as Zhou Yang stepped onto the stone steps, his footsteps echoing dully. A wall of light, like a thin veil, covered the valley entrance, the vertical beam of light slowly receding behind him. The darkness he had just passed through left behind fragmented afterglow, yet cast dark shadows on the wall of light.

Zhou Yang raised his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly. A pale golden light flashed across the surface, like a knife cut. The light barrier trembled at the point of his touch, and then a thin crack appeared. The crack resembled a broken surface of water, and light leaked out from the crack, scattering into scattered starlight.

Qin Shuang stood before the rift, her brows furrowed. She gently raised her left hand, and pale blue runes appeared in her palm, swirling into a ring in the air. The blue light flowing within the ring, like a cold spring, quickly solidified around the rift.

"Hold on," Qin Shuang whispered, her voice completely still. She lightly tapped the ground with the back of her blade, and then a fine array of patterns unfolded at the edge of the crack, spreading out like ants carrying food. A faint chill emanated from the center of the array, seemingly suppressing the external impact.

Black Steel pulled out the iron hammer, the magnet embedded in its surface spinning gently. The hammer tip lightly touched the rock wall outside the crevice, emitting a low hum. Then he coiled the magnetic array around his wrist, lightly snapped his fingers together, and the magnetic array instantly shot towards the crevice.

"Detect," Kurogane whispered the command. The magnetic array, like an invisible hand, pierced through the crack and probed into the depths of darkness. A few seconds later, the magnetic array automatically retracted, and a purple light flashed in Kurogane's eyes.

"There are remnants." Black Steel put down the hammer, raising an eyebrow slightly. Faint dark patterns appeared in the space outside the rift, intersecting to form a symbol. The symbol resembled the remnants of a star, yet it carried a heavy, oppressive aura.

Zhou Yang stared at the dark pattern, a sense of familiarity flashing between his brows. It was the tracking symbol of the Heavenly Principle Sect; within the dark pattern was a small metal piece, emitting a faint pulse.

The system's voice rang in his ears, deep and clear.

System prompt: The crack resonates with the new crystal.

>\\\*\\\*Repair Requirement\\\*\\\*: Lifetime consumed 12% · Duration 30 seconds.

>\\\*\\\*Usage Recommendations\\\*\\\*: Embed the magic tool or seal it directly.

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow and took out a fragment of the dragon's spine that he always carried with him. The surface of the fragment was engraved with ancient patterns. Then, he took out a new crystal from his backpack. The crystal was completely transparent, and pale blue light flowed inside.

He embedded the crystal into the groove of the fragment, and the crystal and fragment instantly produced a faint glow. The light spread outward along the crack, as if infusing new blood into this torn wall of the world.

Qin Shuang's array patterns lit up, and blue light condensed in her palm, then transformed into a slender beam of light that pointed directly at the crack.

"Get ready," Zhou Yang said softly, a hint of joy in his voice.

He held the fragment with the embedded crystal in his left hand, and lightly tapped the ground with his right hand, the fragment...

Chapter 569 New Regulations Descend (Closed Loop 1 - Outbreak)

Zhou Yang lightly tapped the ground with his right hand.

hum!

The newly formed crystal embedded in the groove of the dragon spine fragment suddenly vibrated. A beam of light, interwoven with gold and blue, shot into the sky, directly towards the torn rift overhead.

The beam of light traveled at incredible speed, but suddenly slowed down as it reached the edge of the rift. The light seemed to come alive, spreading outwards to form a vast net of light. At the center of this net, golden-blue nodes lit up one after another, like stars in the night sky.

"New regulations." Zhou Yang said in a low voice.

Pale blue light connects the nodes, forming intricate paths. These paths flow slowly through the air, like some ancient riverbed.

"The continuation channel," he continued to identify.

Qin Shuang gripped the knife tightly. The blade gleamed coldly under the light net. Hei Gang adjusted his breathing, gathering the energy of the magnetic array in his palm, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

The optical network covered the entire boundary of the fissure. Each node was emitting a specific frequency, and these frequencies combined to form a unique rhythm. Zhou Yang closed his eyes and placed his hands on the fragment of the dragon's spine.

The melody of the Heart of the World began to flow within him.

This melody was not a sound, but a deeper resonance. It traveled through Zhou Yang's body to the dragon spine fragment, and then from the fragment to the new crystal.

The golden-blue light pillars began to change.

The beams of light, which had originally shone straight upwards, now began to bend and coil. Like nimble snakes, they slithered along the boundaries of the fissures. The nodes in the web of light flickered, each flash altering the surrounding patterns and trajectories.

"It's starting," Qin Shuang said.

Subtle changes began to appear at the edge of the rift. The previously distorted space began to flatten, and the unstable energy fluctuations gradually weakened. Wherever the beam of light passed, new regular trajectories were being generated, like stitches closing a wound, gradually sealing the rift.

"Left! Something's coming!"

Black Steel suddenly let out a low growl. Three dark figures burst forth from the crack, their forms indistinct but brimming with killing intent. These were the last remaining guards of the Heavenly Principle Sect, their final resistance after being activated by the new rules.

Qin Shuang moved.

Her figure blurred into a streak of light, her blade flashing like lightning. The three dark figures were cleaved in two in mid-air, vanishing into wisps of black smoke. But she did not stop, for more dark figures were pouring out from the depths of the rift.

"I'll cover you," Kurogane said in a deep voice.

He thrust his hands forward, and the energy of the magnetic array formed an invisible wall. The dark figure at the forefront crashed into the wall and was instantly shattered. But the dark figures behind him surged forward one after another, relentlessly attacking the magnetic array's defenses.

Zhou Yang ignored these distractions.

His attention was completely focused on guiding the beam of light. The generation of each regular trajectory required precise frequency control; any deviation could lead to the failure of the entire closure process.

The nodes in the optical network are becoming brighter, and the survival channels are becoming clearer. The entire fracture boundary has been covered by the new rules and is gradually shrinking inward.

Suddenly, a blinding red light shot out from the depths of the crevice.

The red light shot straight at Zhou Yang, moving so fast that no one could react in time. This was no ordinary guard; it was a master from the Heavenly Principle Sect who had sensed the anomaly and launched a deadly attack specifically targeting the rule-maker.

"careful!"

Qin Shuang shouted a warning, but she was too far away to provide any assistance in time. Black Steel's magnetic array was also tied down by other guards, preventing him from breaking free.

Zhou Yang did not open his eyes.

He removed his left hand from the dragon spine fragment, spread his fingers, and gently clenched them in the direction of the red light. A golden-blue barrier instantly formed in front of him.

The red light struck the barrier with a deafening roar. The entire stone chamber shook violently, and rubble rained down from above.

The barrier shattered in a single breath, but that breath was enough. Zhou Yang quickly adjusted the angle of the crystal with his right hand, and an even thicker beam of light shot out, completely piercing through the source of the red light.

A muffled groan came from afar, then there was no more sound.

"They've found us," Qin Shuang said, her voice tinged with seriousness.

"It's alright." Zhou Yang opened his eyes, a golden-blue light flashing in them. "It's too late."

The rift is more than 80% closed. The remaining boundaries are rapidly closing, the power of the new rules is growing stronger, and the resistance of the Heavenly Principle Sect is weakening.

Black Steel increased the output of the magnetic array, suppressing all the remaining guards. Qin Shuang stood beside him, vigilantly observing the surroundings to ensure Zhou Yang could complete the final sealing.

The nodes within the light network began to merge, and the previously scattered golden-blue light converged into a single mass, forming a massive sphere of light at the center of the rift. The sphere slowly rotated, its internal structure exhibiting a dense, intricate network of regular patterns, radiating an awe-inspiring aura.

"The final step."

Zhou Yang clasped his hands together, channeling his last bit of power into the dragon spine fragment. The sphere of light suddenly contracted, absorbing all the light into it, leaving only a fist-sized crystal suspended in the air.

The crystal's surface was as smooth as a mirror, yet its interior contained a complete new system of rules. The final boundary of the crack vanished completely under the crystal's light, as if it had never existed.

[System notification: New rules take effect; temple boundaries enter a temporary stabilization phase]

[System Notification: Alert triggered for high-ranking members of the Heavenly Principle Sect; pursuit level increased]

Zhou Yang breathed a sigh of relief. The sealing process had taken a toll on his energy, but the results were significant. The temple's boundaries were now protected by new rules and were safe, at least for a time.

He reached out and caught the crystal in mid-air. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, and its internal light flowed gently. This was the core of the new regulations, the culmination of all his efforts.

"Is it over?" Qin Shuang asked.

"It's over for now." Zhou Yang carefully put the crystal into his pocket, then took off the dragon spine fragment. The surface of the fragment still bore traces of the new rules, and the golden and blue patterns seemed to be slowly moving around like living things.

He took another fragment of the Heart of the World from his backpack, and the two fragments resonated faintly when placed together. This resonance gave him a strange sense of connection, as if he could touch a wider world.

"The Heavenly Principles Sect will not let this go," Black Steel said, his voice echoing in the empty stone chamber.

"Of course." Zhou Yang smiled. "The game has only just entered the next stage."

He stood up and stretched his somewhat stiff body. The process of sealing the rift was more exhausting than he had imagined, but now was not the time to rest.

"Let's leave here first," Qin Shuang said. "The situation on the ground needs to be reassessed."

The three retraced their steps. The dark passage they had come from was no longer oppressive; the power of the new rules permeated every inch of space, making it much safer.

Zhou Yang walked at the front, the fragment of the dragon's spine glowing faintly in his hand. He could sense that the new rules were deeply integrating with this region, forming a completely new order. This order was not imposed, but rather the result of natural evolution.

Stepping out of the passage, the sky was already beginning to lighten. The three of them were exhausted from a night of fighting, but their spirits were exceptionally high.

"Where to next?" Kurogane asked.

Zhou Yang looked up into the distance. There stretched a range of mountains, shrouded in mist. His gaze seemed to pierce through the clouds, as if he could see even further into the distance.

The core of the Heavenly Principle Sect lies in that direction.

Now he possesses the new crystal, a more complete fragment of the Dragon Spine, and the resonance of the Heart of the World. His strength is more than one level greater than before.

"Go and make preparations," he said, his voice calm but firm. "There are some scores that need to be settled."

Qin Shuang looked at him without saying a word. She knew that from this moment on, they would no longer be on the defensive, but would be taking the initiative.

Black Steel nodded, the light of the magnetic array flashing in his hand, indicating that he was ready to act at any time.

Zhou Yang fastened the dragon spine fragment back to his chest, feeling its resonance with the heart of his inner world. The power of the new rules flowed through his veins, making him feel stronger than ever before.

He started walking and headed towards the distance in the morning light.

Behind them, the sealed temple boundaries emitted a faint light, like a giant seal announcing the arrival of a new era.

Tremor aftersound

The morning fog had not yet dissipated.

Zhou Yang stood on the edge of the cliff, the crystal in his hand shimmering faintly.

He raised the crystal, his gaze fixed on the mouth of the abyss.

"Get ready," Qin Shuang ordered in a low voice.

Black Steel nodded, the magnetic field instrument humming in his hand.

Zhou Yang gently tapped the crystal base.

A soft blue pulse then burst forth, piercing through the fog.

The pulse hits the frequency point at the very bottom of the abyss.

The echoes from within the abyss were faint.

The system's detector instantly captured the low-frequency waveform.

A line of cold-light characters appeared on the screen.

[System Prompt]

Recorded low-frequency heartbeat: 0.73Hz.

Rule number: R-07-A.

Generate potential awakening presets.

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.

This heartbeat seems to be breathing.

Each pulse was like a drumstick striking a stone wall.

Qin Shuang walked to the side, holding three small sensing stones in her hand.

The light ladder ring had already unfolded behind them, its silver light like rain.

"Arrange them in order," she instructed.

Black Steel reached out and placed the first sensing stone on the left side of the light ladder.

The stone instantly lit up and emitted a low hum.

The second one stabilized in the middle.

The third one landed on the right, surrounded by light.

Three sensing stones form a miniature array.

Their frequencies resonate with the crystal pulses.

The echo waveform captured by the array gradually became clearer.

The system displayed another message.

[System Prompt]

Locking echo waveform: Δ -0.12s.

Warning: A strong response is imminent.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath.

The fragment of the dragon's spine on his chest trembled slightly.

He could feel the heart of the world within his body being gently tugged.

Qin Shuang's eyes sharpened.

She placed her hand on the buckle of her breastplate.

The faint light then gathered at the fingertips.

"This is just the beginning," she whispered.

His voice carried a lingering chill.

Black Steel adjusted the magnetic array to its highest frequency.

The magnetic field forms a rotating light curtain around it.

Inside the light curtain, the light spots on the sensing stones pulsed like a heartbeat.

Zhou Yang adjusted the crystal to maximum output.

A beam of blazing white light shot straight into the abyss.

The beam of light struck the rock layer at the bottom, causing it to tremble and crack.

A faint blue light seeped out from the cracks.

The blue light is like blood flowing.

The echo from the abyss amplified, forming a deep hum.

The system prompt popped up again.

[System Prompt]

The Abyss Heartbeat intensity has been increased to 1.04Hz.

The rule number has been updated to R-07-B.

The potential awakening preset has been activated.

Zhou Yang clenched his fist.

He felt the lamp of life flickering slightly.

Each leap consumes a sliver of light.

Qin Shuang lightly touched the sensing stone with her fingers.

The stone body emits soft ripples.

The ripples spread outwards, carrying away some of the mist.

The fog dissipated, revealing the rock face in greater clarity.

Ancient patterns are carved on the rock face.

The runes embedded in the patterns emitted a pale golden light.

"That's the mark of the Heavenly Principle Sect," Kurogane assessed in a low voice.

"But this isn't their territory," Qin Shuang replied.

"It might be an ambush point hidden in the undercurrents," Zhou Yang deduced.

He shifted his gaze to the deeper parts of the abyss.

The beams of light from the light ladder ring form a staircase in the darkness.

The three sensing stones flashed like guiding stars.

"Let's stabilize this path first," Qin Shuang instructed.

Black Steel switched the magnetic array to static mode.

The light from the light ladder ring gradually faded.

Zhou Yang retrieved the crystal.

The blue light remaining on the crystal surface is like a drizzle.

He put the crystal back into his waist pouch and locked the buckle.

At this point, the echoes inside the abyss had formed a pattern.

Each low-frequency fluctuation is like the contraction of a heart.

The system notification indicates that the next strong echo will arrive in ten seconds.

Zhou Yang placed his hand on the fragment of the dragon's spine.

The fragment trembled slightly, as if responding to the echo.

He closed his eyes and felt a strange impulse within him.

"Get ready to welcome him." Qin Shuang stood beside him.

Her long sword hung at her waist, its tip gleaming coldly.

Black Steel gently removed the sensor stone and put it into his backpack.

The backpack's internal lighting automatically adjusts to maintain a low brightness.

The echo from the abyss drew ever closer in the ten-second countdown.

10...

9...

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

A low, rumbling vibration pierced through the rock wall.

The ground trembled slightly, and stone chips fell gently.

The echoes, like the low growl of a giant beast, reverberated through the cave.

The system popped up an alarm again.

System Alert

The response intensity exceeds the safety threshold.

Activate the protective barrier immediately.

Zhou Yang quickly raised the new standard crystal in his hand.

The crystals emitted a dazzling blue light, forming a semi-transparent barrier.

The barrier instantly withstood the impact of the echo.

Inside the barrier, Qin Shuang lightly touched the ground with the tip of her sword.

The tip of the sword traced fine streaks of light.

The light patterns intertwine with the barrier, creating a subtle resonance.

Black Steel stood on the flank, the magnetic array in his hand continuing to emit gentle magnetic waves.

The magnetic waves synchronize with the barrier, enhancing the defense.

The impact of the echo gradually weakened.

The barrier of light faded away, leaving behind a faint afterglow.

System prompt:

The response has been successfully suppressed.

Current rule status: stable.

Zhou Yang retrieved the crystal and took a deep breath.

He turned his gaze to the other side of the abyss.

There is a hidden passage there.

Runes glowed faintly on the rock wall at the entrance of the passage.

The points of light are like guiding lighthouses.

Qin Shuang stepped forward and gently touched the rune.

The runes activated instantly, revealing a stone staircase.

"Where does this road lead?" Kurogane asked.

Zhou Yang did not answer directly, his gaze lingering on the runes.

"Let's go in and take a look," he said casually.

The three of them went down one by one.

The stone steps were damp, and the sound of footsteps echoed deep within.

The lights in the light ladder ring projected soft beams of light in front.

At the end of the stairs is a circular stone chamber.

In the very center of the stone chamber, an ancient stone slab floats suspended.

The stone slab is covered with dense patterns, seemingly recording some kind of frequency.

Zhou Yang approached the stone slab and gently touched it.

The surface of the stone slab trembled slightly, emitting a low-frequency hum.

The system prompt popped up again.

[System Prompt]

New regulations for slate frequency matching crystal output.

The potential awakening preset has entered the activation phase.

Zhou Yang raised an eyebrow slightly.

He held the crystal in his hand to the stone slab.

The crystal's brilliance instantly increased, directly injecting into the core of the stone slab.

The patterns on the stone slabs glowed with golden light, and beams of light shot towards the ceiling.

The beam of light connects with a crack in the ceiling of the stone chamber, forming a portal of light.

The light gate trembled slightly, like breathing.

Qin Shuang reached out and pushed open the light gate.

Behind the door was a wide cave, inside which was a pool of pale blue liquid.

The surface of the pool was calm, reflecting starlight-like shimmering light.

There are several metal discs by the pool, with strange symbols engraved on their surfaces.

"This is probably the core of the new rules," Zhou Yang assessed in a low voice.

Black Steel placed the sensor stone into the pool.

The stone instantly sank into the liquid, emitting a soft blue light.

The liquid rippled gently, and the blue light spread out accordingly.

System prompt:

Node activation successful.

The new rules have already generated initial feedback here.

The three stood by the pool, gazing at the blue light.

Zhou Yang felt the lamp of life flicker slightly.

He secretly calculated the cost of the next step.

Qin Shuang's gaze was calm, yet it held a profound meaning.

She said softly, "We have opened the door to a deeper level."

Black Steel nodded, and the light spots of the magnetic array danced between his fingers.

The three exchanged a glance, then turned away from each other.

Zhou Yang fastened the dragon spine fragment back to his chest.

The light from the fragments intertwined with the blue light, forming a faint halo.

He strode out of the pool, his steps steady.

The light gate behind them slowly closed, leaving a lingering glow.

The morning light streamed in through the cave entrance, illuminating their shadows.

The shadows stretched long on the rock face, like three sharp blades.

"Keep moving forward," Zhou Yang said in a low voice.

His words were devoid of emotion, yet they conveyed a sense of determination.

Qin Shuang nodded, and the blade of her sword gently tapped against the stone wall, producing a crisp sound.

Black Steel retrieved the magnetic array, gathering the light into his palm.

The three figures disappeared into the depths of the passage, leaving behind echoing sounds that reverberated on the rock walls.

Echo Crack

The passage was deep and dark, with no end in sight.

The only sound was the footsteps of the three men. The stone walls were damp, and the air smelled of earth. Occasionally, water droplets would drip from above, hitting the black steel shoulder armor with a crisp "thud."

Qin Shuang walked at the front, her hand never leaving the sword hilt. Zhou Yang was in the middle, his gaze sweeping across the surrounding rock walls, as if searching for something. Black Steel brought up the rear; the magnetic array that had been withdrawn into his palm still radiated a faint warmth.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the view ahead suddenly opened up.

A huge circular cave appeared before our eyes.

In the center of the cave, instead of the usual stalactites or stalagmites, there was a... mirror-like surface.

That was no mirror crafted in the mortal realm. It was enormous and smooth, like a perfectly cut ice lake, lying across the three of them. The mirror did not reflect their images, but only presented a deep, flowing darkness, as if it could devour all light.

"This is it," Zhou Yang said, his voice steady.

He felt a response. It came from the dragon spine fragment in his arms. The piece of iron was slightly warm, as if it had a heartbeat.

Qin Shuang and Hei Gang immediately stopped and became alert of their surroundings.

"This thing... is not simple." Qin Shuang frowned; she could sense the danger lurking within the mirror. It was a pure, structural threat.

Zhou Yang ignored her.

He walked slowly forward, stopping only when he was less than three zhang away from the mirror.

He closed his eyes.

Mental energy extended along the fragment of the dragon's spine, like an invisible tentacle, gently touching the deep darkness.

There was no resistance. There was no rejection.

The mirror appeared differently to him.

It wasn't a single flat surface. Instead, it was woven from countless extremely fine "veins." These veins layered upon each other, forming an incredibly intricate three-dimensional structure. And at the very core of the structure, there were several nodes, like the center of a spider web, connecting all the veins.

Those nodes are its Achilles' heel.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes, a hint of understanding flashing in his pupils.

He took out the fragment of the dragon's spine from his pocket.

As soon as the fragment left his body, the initial heat turned scalding. He held one corner of the fragment in his left hand and gently ran his right index and middle fingers along the edge of the fragment.

No sound.

But a thin, golden line was "pulled" out from the fragment.

That wasn't light. Nor was it a thread.

It was like a frozen melody, a golden echo played in reverse. Zhou Yang's fingertips pinched the end of the thread, and the air in the entire cave seemed to freeze.

"Buzz—"

A low hum, audible only to him, exploded in his mind.

He flicked his wrist.

The reversed golden note, like an arrow released from a bow, shot silently towards the mirror.

Its target is precisely the deep node that Zhou Yang has captured in his perception.

The gold thread disappeared into the mirror surface.

It didn't cause a ripple at all.

The mirror remained calm, and the darkness remained deep.

Take a breath.

Two breaths.

Nothing happened.

Qin Shuang's brows furrowed even more. "It failed?"

"No." Zhou Yang uttered a single word, his gaze fixed intently on that node.

He saw it.

The golden musical notes were rapidly traversing the interior of the mirrored structure, disrupting the flow of the veins in reverse. It was like forcibly injecting a countercurrent into a rushing river.

"Click."

A very faint cracking sound rang out.

It wasn't the crisp sound of shattering glass; it was more like a thick layer of ice collapsing from the inside under extreme pressure.

Centered on that node, a tiny crack suddenly spread outwards.

It does not expand outward, but rather contracts inward.

Where the crack passed, the mirror no longer reflected darkness, but instead showed concentric gray bands of light.

"Here it comes!" Black Steel roared, and the light from the magnetic array in his palm instantly shone brightly.

As the cracks spread, something began to coalesce deep within the mirror, within those gray concentric circles.

They were some blurry human-shaped outlines.

They seemed to be sculpted from thick smoke, lacking facial features and details, merely rough human figures. Some held long staffs, some carried short swords, and some held shields. Their outlines flickered constantly within the gray light bands, attempting to break free from the two-dimensional plane and enter the three-dimensional world.

Shadow Infantry.

They were not yet fully materialized, but the chilling killing intent emanating from them was already stinging people's skin.

Zhou Yang ignored the guards that were taking shape.

His attention was entirely focused on the ever-widening crack.

Just as the crack reached its limit, several fingernail-sized fragments flew out from the depths of the crack.

These fragments were completely translucent, neither crystal nor jade. They were more like living musical notes, vibrating slightly in the air and emitting a soft white halo. Within each fragment, golden light seemed to flow.

"It's spoils of war." Zhou Yang said without hesitation, extending his palm.

As if drawn by a force, the fragments traced graceful arcs and landed precisely in his palm.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, with a peculiar rhythm. That rhythm seems to gradually synchronize with his heartbeat.

The moment he acquired the fragment, a cold notification sound rang in his mind.

[Rhythmic Fragments Detected x3]

[Fragment Attribute: Contains a high-density echo structure, which can be used to repair or enhance divine weapons with "vibration" or "resonance" attributes.]

[Available options:]

[1. Analysis of the third level of the "Shattered Star Finger" technique, "Star Core Resonance". Cost: 10 years of lifespan.]

[2. Repair Dragon Spine Fragment (0.1%). Cost: Rhythm Fragment x1.]

[3. Merge with Rhythm Fragments to gain the temporary state "Rhythm Perception". Duration: One incense stick's time. Cost: 1 Rhythm Fragment.]

Zhou Yang's lips curled up almost imperceptibly.

As long as there's a gain, that's fine.

He made his choice immediately. His greatest asset at the moment was the fragment of the dragon's spine. Restoring it was always the top priority.

"repair."

As soon as he finished speaking, a piece of rhythmic fragment in his hand instantly turned into a white light and disappeared into the dragon spine fragment in his arms.

The fragment vibrated, and the scalding sensation subsided slightly. An extremely fine scratch on the surface was smoothed out by an invisible force.

After doing all this, he looked at the mirror.

The cracks in the mirror neither widened nor disappeared. The outlines of the shadow infantry became increasingly clear, and the details of their armor were now visible. They had already stepped halfway out of the mirror, and could emerge completely at any moment.

Qin Shuang had already drawn her sword, its blade pointing directly at the mirror. The black steel magnetic array shone brightly, ready to engage in battle.

Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze and put the remaining two fragments into his pocket.

He watched the shadow infantry about to pounce, his eyes calm.

"Clear the way," he said to Qin Shuang.

"There are quite a few of them," Qin Shuang reminded. There were already more than a dozen shadow infantrymen on the mirror.

"Perfect." The dragon spine fragment in Zhou Yang's palm became scalding hot again. "Let me test my new acquisition."

He did not choose to expend his lifespan to analyze the cultivation technique.

Instead, they chose another option.

"Integration, rhythmic perception."

Another fragment of rhythm transformed into a warm current, flowing into his limbs and bones.

In an instant, the whole world changed in his eyes.

The movement of the air, the trajectory of falling water droplets, the vibration of the distant rock wall, even Qin Shuang and Hei Gang's heartbeats... everything was transformed into a clear and rhythmic "rhythm".

And those shadowy infantrymen in the mirror were completely transparent to his perception. They were not physical entities, but rather aggregates of energy composed of a high-frequency vibration.

Their "core rhythm" is located in the chest area.

Zhou Yang raised his hand and flicked his finger at the shadow infantryman at the front, which was about to be fully formed.

There is no true qi, no strength.

It was just a slight flick of the fingertip.

It's like plucking a string on a musical instrument.

An invisible shockwave traveled precisely through the air and struck the shadow infantryman in the chest.

"puff."

A muffled thud.

The semi-solidified infantryman didn't even have time to scream before he exploded into a cloud of black smoke, disappearing into the air like a punctured balloon.

Qin Shuang and Hei Gang's pupils contracted simultaneously.

Zhou Yang, however, had already moved on to his next target.

He smiled slightly.

This feeling of being able to directly attack the "structure" itself is really great.

Heart rate increase

Zhou Yang bent his second finger.

Point your fingertip at the mirror. Another flick.

"Zheng".

The vibrations were denser than before. The air rippled with patterns invisible to the naked eye, like pebbles thrown into still water.

The mirror surface changed.

The previously blurred boundaries suddenly contracted, and the central area became blindingly bright. White light shone through the hazy interior of the mirror, illuminating the entire stone chamber in a ghastly white light.

Qin Shuang narrowed her eyes, holding the sword horizontally in front of her chest. Black Steel quickly adjusted the magnetic array, and the metal disc emitted a faint hum.

"The frequency is increasing." Kurogane stared at the pointer on the magnetic array. "It's already three times higher than before."

Zhou Yang didn't speak. He stared at the mirror.

The light was so bright that his pupils contracted. The shadows on the mirror began to twist, no longer the translucent shadow infantry of before, but deeper, more solid outlines.

The thing took shape in the mirror.

It had no facial features, only a humanoid black shadow with long limbs and joints bent in the opposite direction. The shadow clung to the inner wall, like mercury trapped behind glass, constantly struggling to squeeze out.

"Deep reflector," Zhou Yang whispered.

The shadow seemed to have heard. It paused, turning its head towards Zhou Yang. It had no eyes, but Zhou Yang could feel its gaze. That gaze was malicious, like a substantial weight pressing down on his shoulders.

"It's about to come out." Qin Shuang raised the tip of her sword slightly.

Before the words were even finished, a crack appeared in the center of the mirror. It didn't shatter, but rather slid open like a door. A dark shadow seeped out from the crack, landing silently, leaving only a thick mass of darkness spreading across the ground.

Zhou Yang took a half step back, his heel bracing against a protruding rock.

The dark figure detached itself completely from the mirror and stood upright. It was a head taller than Zhou Yang, its arms hanging down to its knees, with some kind of black liquid dripping from its fingertips. The liquid fell to the ground, corroding and producing tiny wisps of white smoke.

"The structure is more stable," Zhou Yang observed. "It's harder than the previous one."

The shadowy figure moved.

It didn't move in a straight line, but slid along the ground like a snake, its speed leaving afterimages. A pitch-black hand reached for Zhou Yang's throat, its nails gleaming with a metallic sheen.

Zhou Yang turned to the side. The shadowy hand brushed against his neck, bringing a chilling sensation. The temperature wasn't like ice; it felt more like a kind of ethereal, engulfing feeling.

Qin Shuang's sword has arrived.

The sword flashed like a still autumn lake, striking the shadowy figure's arm. There was no metallic clang; the blade sank into the figure's body as if cutting through viscous asphalt. The figure's arm merely twitched, the wound instantly healing, and then coiled around the sword.

"Let go!" Zhou Yang shouted.

Qin Shuang flicked her wrist, causing the sword to tremble, and used the rebound force to pull it away. She spun around and leaped back, her boot heels scraping sparks off the stone surface.

Black Steel tossed out a magnetic shuttle. A silver light pierced the shadowy figure's chest, exploding into an arc of electricity. The shadowy figure's movements slowed for a moment, then returned to normal, turning its head to "look" at Black Steel.

"Physical attacks are ineffective." Black Steel grinned, then pulled out two more magnetic shuttles. "We need to target its core."

Zhou Yang stared at the movement of the dark figure. The thing had no weight, and each turn defied inertia, like smoke being blown by the wind. But before each attack, its chest area would solidify for a moment.

Those are structural nodes.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath. His lifespan was burning, and the system panel flickered at the edge of his vision.

[Regular projection detected]

[Analysis in progress...]

[Recommendation: Increasing the vibration frequency to the seventh resonant point can compromise the structure's stability]

The seventh resonant point.

Zhou Yang raised both hands, bending all ten fingers simultaneously. He no longer plucked individual fingers, but instead, with both hands, he plucked rapidly in the air as if playing a musical instrument.

"Buzzing—"

Dense vibrations superimposed, their frequency increasing exponentially. The air inside the stone chamber began to resonate, and pebbles fell from the rock walls. The mirror trembled violently, its white light flickering in rhythm with the vibrations.

The shadowy figure seemed to sense a threat. It abandoned its attack on Qin Shuang and instead pounced on Zhou Yang, moving so fast that it left a black trail in the air.

"Stop it," Zhou Yang said.

Qin Shuangshuang switched her sword to her left hand and pulled a handful of silver needles from her waist with her right. These were her trump card, coated with anesthetic. The silver needles rained down, embedding themselves in the joints of the shadowy figure.

The shadowy figure paused. Although the silver needles failed to cause any real damage, the intense impact deflected its trajectory.

That half-breath is enough.

Zhou Yang slammed his hands together.

"Thump!"

A muffled thud, like a heavy hammer striking the heart. The vibration wave at the seventh resonant point transformed into an invisible blade, precisely slicing into the solid structural node on the shadowy figure's chest.

The shadowy figure froze.

It looked down at its chest, where a crack had appeared. The crack spread rapidly, like broken porcelain. Black shards peeled off its body, turning into black smoke and dissipating before they even hit the ground.

"puff."

The dark shape exploded. It wasn't the soft popping of a balloon, but rather like a water-filled sack being punctured, spewing out a torrent of black mist. The mist was interspersed with tiny specks of light, like a reversed meteor shower.

Zhou Yang's pupils contracted.

Those points of light were not random. They arranged themselves in specific trajectories in the air, forming a complex pattern. The pattern twisted and changed, eventually settling into the outline of a map.

[Rule trajectory read successfully]

[Coordinates generated: Deep within the Blackrock Mountains, Seventh Fold Belt, Vertical depth 1200 zhang]

[Marker Point: Rule Core Point]

A system notification sounded in Zhou Yang's mind. At the same time, a newly formed fragment of rules flew out from the core of the collapsing black shadow. It was only the size of a fingernail, with a hexagonal crystal structure and a dark golden halo flowing inside.

The fragments flew towards Zhou Yang on their own.

Zhou Yang did not dodge. He stretched out his hand, palm facing up.

The fragment fell into his hand, its touch icy cold, like a piece of ancient ice. But it didn't stay; instead, it merged directly into his skin, flowing through his blood vessels towards his heart.

A strange feeling of fullness spread through my chest.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes. The system map in his field of vision had been updated. The Black Rock Mountains map, which originally only had simple lines, now had a flashing red dot, marked with the words "Rules Core Point". The red dot was surrounded by complex patterns, like some kind of ancient seal.

"How was it?" Qin Shuang sheathed her sword and approached. Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead; those few sword strikes had taken a toll on her.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes and looked down at his palm. There was a pale golden mark there, the same shape as the fragment from before.

"Got it," he said. "The coordinates are clear now. It's deeper inside."

Black Steel checked the magnetic array, and new data flashed across the screen: "Energy readings stable. That thing just now... was it a guard?"

"It's a door god." Zhou Yang turned to look at the now-dimmed mirror. "Kill it, and the door will open."

The mirror had indeed changed. The once bright central area had become transparent, like a real window. Through the mirror, one could see a downward stone staircase disappearing into the darkness behind it.

There were some kind of characters carved on both sides of the stone steps, none of which Zhou Yang recognized, but the system panel automatically provided a translation:

The Path to the Core

Those who do not resonate with this will perish.

Zhou Yang touched the mark on his chest. A Resonator. He was one now.

"Take a 15-minute break," Zhou Yang said, "then go down."

Qin Shuang nodded, took out some medicine from her bosom, and applied it to her wrist, which had been brushed by the cold aura of the shadowy figure. There was a faint white mark there, like a frostbite.

Black Steel began replacing the energy core of the magnetic array, the metallic clanging sound particularly crisp in the silent stone chamber.

Zhou Yang walked to the mirror and looked at the transparent doorway. His heart beat faster than usual, not out of fear, but out of a kind of excitement at getting closer to the truth.

Life may still be burning, but the gains have been worthwhile.

"Deep within the Blackrock Mountains..." he murmured the coordinates, his fingertips tapping lightly on the frame of his glasses. "What exactly is hidden there?"

No one answered. Only the faint sound of wind coming from below the stone steps, like the breathing of some enormous creature.

Rules and foundations

The morning mist clung to the mountainside like torn cotton wool.

Zhou Yang chose a flat rock face at the entrance of the valley. This was the only way in and out of the valley, and the open terrain facilitated the diffusion of energy. He took out the newly formed crystal from his pocket and examined it carefully in his palm. The crystal had stabilized and was no longer as agitated as it had been in the abyss.

"Right here." Zhou Yang squatted down, his fingertips tracing a faint mark on the rock surface. This was the grid point he had memorized when he deduced the formation earlier.

Qin Shuang stood three steps away, sword in hand, warily surveying her surroundings. Hei Gang took out a roll of golden wire from his bag; the surface of the wire shimmered with a faint light, like liquid slowly rolling in a pipe.

"Make a rubbing," Zhou Yang said in a low voice.

He circulated the remaining true energy within his body, using his fingers as a brush to carve intricate runes onto the rock surface. Each rune was incredibly precise, as if meticulously calculated. These runes formed a complete grid array, the rudimentary form of a regular node.

It took about 15 minutes to complete the grid pattern. A fine layer of sweat appeared on Zhou Yang's forehead. He raised his palm and slowly pressed the new crystal into the center of the grid array.

The moment the crystal touched the rock surface, an invisible wave spread out. The surrounding air seemed to be gently stirred by a large hand, creating subtle ripples. Zhou Yang felt a warm touch in his palm—the crystal was establishing some kind of connection with the lattice points.

"Bring the wire over here." Zhou Yang reached out to Hei Gang.

Black Steel handed over the wire. Zhou Yang connected one end of the wire to the crystal, and extended the other end to the location of the dragon spine fragment ten feet away. He chose the dragon spine fragment instead of the complete divine weapon because the fragment had already absorbed the resonant fragments and possessed the foundation to receive the abyss audio.

Golden wires stretched along the ground like a winding stream. Zhou Yang pressed down a small rune every ten feet, acting as an energy transfer station. These runes were small and inconspicuous, but they ensured that the energy would not diminish during long-distance transmission.

"Next, I will infuse the power of the Heart of the World." Zhou Yang took out a small metal box from his pocket. When the box was opened, it contained a soft light, like liquid starlight.

This is a fragment of the Heart of the World that he collected in the Abyss. Although it is only a small piece, it contains enough energy to support the node's long-term operation.

Zhou Yang placed the box in a special groove at the edge of the grid. Light flowed along the groove into the rune lines, merging with the power of the new crystal. The moment the two energies came into contact, the grid array lit up, and golden patterns spread across the rock surface like blood flowing through a network of veins.

"It's done," Zhou Yang said in a low voice.

He stood up and stepped back to observe. The grid array had taken shape, the central crystal emitting a steady, pulsating light. The runes he had just inscribed all lit up, forming a network of soft light. At the other end of the wire, the dragon spine fragment seemed to sense something, trembling slightly.

"The node's response to the Abyss Audio needs to be adjusted," Zhou Yang said, taking out a black metal block from his pocket. This was a fragment of resonance he had seized in the Abyss, which had already been absorbed and fused.

He placed the metal block at the core of the node. The moment the fragment touched the grid, it resonated. Zhou Yang closed his eyes and sensed it; the information transmitted through the fragment was extremely weak—it was a residual fluctuation from the direction of the abyss, like a faint echo from the depths of the ocean.

"Very good." He opened his eyes. "The node has been connected to the resonant fragment. Now it can sense audio changes in the direction of the abyss."

Qin Shuang walked over and looked at the intricate patterns on the ground: "This can actually stop the things from the abyss?"

"Block it?" Zhou Yang shook his head. "It's not that easy. This is just the first node, its function is to provide early warning. To truly form a protective array, nodes need to be placed in multiple key locations to form a network."

Black Steel asked, "How many nodes are needed?"

"At least nine," Zhou Yang estimated. "We only have one right now. We need to find eight more suitable locations."

Qin Shuang frowned: "Can we find that many suitable places around here?"

"It should be possible. The Blackrock Mountain Range requires a high node density, but ordinary mountain ranges require less." Zhou Yang pointed to the other end of the wire. "With the Dragon Spine fragments, the energy consumption of the nodes can be greatly reduced. We just need to ensure that the nodes can cover the main passages."

He checked the node's operational status again. The energy of the Heart of the World was slowly flowing into the node through the wires, and the pulsation of the grid array was stable and persistent. In this state, the node could operate on its own for a considerable period of time.

"Wait a minute." Zhou Yang suddenly remembered something.

He took out a talisman from his belongings, bit his fingertip, and drew a simple rune on it. This was a blood rune technique he had learned in his early years; although crude, it could generate a response when a node was triggered.

"Qin Shuang, I need to borrow your blood," he said.

Qin Shuang understood and extended her index finger. As she circulated her inner energy, a drop of blood seeped from her fingertip. Zhou Yang caught the drop and dripped it onto the center of the talisman. The blood quickly seeped into the talisman, merging with the runes he had drawn.

He affixed the talisman to the edge of the node. The moment the blood came into contact with the grid's power, the entire node trembled violently. The distant dragon spine fragment resonated with a low, guttural sound, as if in response.

"It's done." Zhou Yang released his grip. "This talisman will trigger the sensing node. Once an abyssal creature approaches, the talisman will become hot."

Qin Shuang asked, "What if the talisman gets hot if we're in another location?"

"Then hurry back." Zhou Yang stood up, dusting off his hands. "Or use communication methods to notify people nearby. The node itself has no offensive capabilities; it's just an alarm."

Black Steel asked, "How much of your lifespan is consumed?"

Zhou Yang sensed the energy consumption just now: "Less than twenty years. It was mainly consumed when injecting the energy of the Heart of the World. If it were entirely supported by its own lifespan, this node could operate for at least fifty years."

Black Steel nodded. Fifty years is almost a lifetime for an ordinary person.

"What's next?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Let's take a break," Zhou Yang said. "I need to recover. Next, we need to find the locations of other nodes."

He sat down on a rock beside the node. The morning mist began to dissipate, and the outline of the valley gradually became clear. Sunlight streamed down from the distant mountain peaks, casting golden patches of light at the valley entrance.

Zhou Yang took one last look at the newly arranged nodes. The grid array quietly emitted a faint glow, like a sleeping heart. The wires meandered towards the dragon's spine fragment, reflecting a slight light in the morning glow.

This is just the beginning, he thought.

But at least here, we can know immediately if there's any movement from the abyss.

Flowing Shadow Contradiction

Zhou Yang had just sat down and hadn't even caught his breath yet.

Suddenly, the entire grid array began to vibrate violently.

Those grid points that were originally shining quietly now rippled like water ripples after a pebble has been thrown in. Light waves spread outward from each node, colliding with each other and forming complex interference patterns.

"Something's not right." Kurogane suddenly stood up.

Qin Shuang's hand was already on the hilt of the sword.

Zhou Yang stared at the center of the array, his pupils slightly contracting. There, the light grid was shrinking frantically. The light rays between the grid points were taut, like strings on a musical instrument that could snap at any moment.

A system notification sounded in my mind: [The rule node has detected abnormal shadow fluctuations. Threat level: Medium.]

"Flowing Shadow?" Zhou Yang murmured to himself.

Before he could finish speaking, the light net suddenly contracted inward.

The movements were perfectly synchronized, as if someone were simultaneously pulling countless invisible threads. The light on the surface of the node suddenly shone brightly, illuminating the entire stone chamber as if it were daytime.

Zhou Yang felt a wave of dizziness. The light was too pure, without any impurities, as if it could pierce through the soul.

[The optical network automatically tightens, activating defense mode.]

He quickly stood up and walked to the edge of the array. His fingertip lightly touched one of the grid points. The sensation was strange; it wasn't the coolness of metal, nor the warmth of crystal, but a texture somewhere in between. It was like touching solidified light.

The shadow was still surging.

Each impact caused the light net to emit a faint hum. The sound was so soft it was almost inaudible, but the vibrations traveled along the stone wall, making one's teeth ache.

Qin Shuang frowned: "What is that?"

"I don't know," Zhou Yang shook his head, "but it's trying to penetrate."

He closed his eyes and concentrated.

Soon, he "saw" it. On the other side of the light net, a blurry shadow was wandering. The shadow had no fixed shape, like a flowing blob of ink, constantly changing its outline. It repeatedly crashed into the light net, trying to find a weak point.

Each impact creates a ripple on the surface of the light net.

[Aiming to penetrate the shadow was detected. Energy frequency: 3.7 Hz. Phase angle: 42 degrees.]

Zhou Yang opened his eyes.

"Blacksteel, bring me the Dragon Spine Fragment."

Black Steel immediately took out the irregular metal piece from his pocket. The surface of the fragment was rough, covered with fine lines, and gleamed with a dark red luster under the light.

Zhou Yang took the fragment and took a deep breath.

Lifespan begins to burn.

A warm current rose from his dantian, flowing along his meridians to his limbs and bones. His mind became more focused than ever before, and every detail was magnified infinitely.

Lifespan depletion: 3 days.

He slowly brought the dragon spine fragment closer to the array.

"What are you going to do?" Qin Shuang asked.

"Adjust the frequency," Zhou Yang said without turning his head. "It's using 3.7 Hz to impact, so I'll use its mirror frequency to counteract it."

The fragment was still three inches away from the optical grid.

Suddenly, the entire optical network began to fluctuate violently.

The Flowing Shadow seemed to sense the threat, and its impact intensified. The light flickered, and the patterns on the node's surface began to distort.

"Hold on!" Kurogane growled.

He pressed his hands to the ground, and the power of the magnetic array flowed continuously into the light network. The beams of light that were about to break tightened again, but only temporarily.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes and focused all his attention on the fragment of the dragon's spine.

[Starting to deduce the mirror frequency. Deduction progress: 10%...20%...]

The rate at which the lifespan is burned is accelerating.

He could sense a peculiar "rhythm" mixed within the impact of the flowing shadows. The rhythm was subtle, like the beat of a heartbeat, yet it carried a discordant noise.

[Derivation progress: 50%...60%...]

Sweat seeped from Zhou Yang's forehead.

This kind of deduction is more difficult than comprehending the technique. Because it is not something readily available, but requires finding patterns in a chaotic fluctuation and then constructing a completely opposite frequency.

[Derivation progress: 80%...90%...]

Just then, Liu Ying suddenly changed her strategy.

It stopped crashing around randomly and began to move forward in a spiral. With each rotation, a node in the optical network resonated. The resonance grew stronger and stronger, as if it were tearing the node apart from the inside.

"It's no use!" Kurogane's face turned pale.

The light on the surface of one node began to flicker, like a light bulb with poor contact.

[Derivation complete. Image frequency: 3.7 Hz, phase angle: 222 degrees.]

Zhou Yang suddenly opened his eyes.

He pressed the dragon spine fragment hard onto the light net.

"reverse!"

A low shout.

A sudden burst of intense light erupted from the surface of the fragment. The light did not spread outward, but rather contracted inward, forming a small vortex.

The shadowy figure collided directly with the vortex.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The constantly shifting shadow suddenly froze. It maintained its spiraling trajectory, like a frozen wave.

Within the mirror field, the outline of the flowing shadow became exceptionally clear. It was not a single entity, but rather composed of countless tiny points of light. Each point of light was vibrating violently, yet the whole remained firmly fixed in place.

"It worked?" Qin Shuang murmured.

Zhou Yang did not answer.

His entire focus was on controlling the frequency. This reversed state could only be maintained for a short time; once he relaxed, the Flowing Shadow would immediately revert to its original state.

[Stable flow pattern structure detected. Image frequency lock successful.]

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Just as they were about to retrieve the fragment of the dragon's spine, a sudden change occurred.

The fixed, flowing shadow began to vibrate violently. It wasn't the overall movement, but rather the individual points of light within it trembling wildly. The trembling grew faster and more intense, like a boiler about to explode.

"It's going to collapse!" Kurogane shouted.

Zhou Yang's expression changed.

He hadn't expected the structure of the Flowing Shadow to be so unstable. Staying in the Mirror Domain for too long seemed to have triggered some kind of self-destruct mechanism.

[WARNING: The streaming structure is about to collapse. Immediate disconnection is recommended.]

But it is already late.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud.

The fixed shadow suddenly exploded.

The explosion was silent and had no shockwave; in an instant, the entire shadow shattered into countless tiny fragments that scattered in all directions.

Zhou Yang instinctively stepped back.

Most of the debris struck the light net and vanished in a dazzling display, like fireworks. But two pieces traced strange trajectories in the air.

They were not blocked by the optical network, nor did they fly in a straight line; instead, they bypassed the nodes' interception in a zigzag pattern.

Special fragment detected. Capturing...

The two fragments were small, like a pair of contact lenses. They hovered in the air for a moment, then flew straight toward Zhou Yang.

Qin Shuang immediately stepped forward and drew her longsword.

"Don't move!" Zhou Yang shouted.

He held out his hands.

Two fragments landed gently in his palm. They were cool to the touch and almost weightless. They were practically invisible unless you looked closely.

[Capture successful. Obtained 2 "Basic Reflection" fragments. Now in inventory.]

Zhou Yang opened his palm.

Sunlight streamed in through the opening, refracting into rainbow-like halos on the surface of the fragments. The halos were faint, appearing and disappearing, like a beautiful illusion.

Kurogane leaned closer to look: "What's this?"

"Reflected debris," Zhou Yang observed carefully. "It's probably a part of some kind of optical device."

He tried to put the two pieces back together.

Just as they were about to make contact, they suddenly generated a strong repulsive force. Like two magnets with the same poles, they could not get close to each other.

"A rejection reaction?" Qin Shuang frowned.

"It's not necessarily a rejection," Zhou Yang said thoughtfully. "It might require specific conditions to combine."

He separated the fragments and placed them in his left and right hands respectively. Strangely, once separated, the repulsive force disappeared. The fragments lay quietly in his palms, as docile as two ordinary pieces of glass.

[System Prompt: The primary reflective fragments can be assembled into a complete device. Assembly condition: Frequency synchronization. Current synchronization rate: 0%.]

"Frequency synchronization..." Zhou Yang repeated in a low voice.

He looked up at the now calm grid array. The light network had softened again, and the light on the node surfaces flickered steadily, as if breathing.

The threat of the Shadow has been eliminated.

But a new mystery has emerged.

"How do you want to synchronize the frequency?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang shook his head and carefully put away the fragment: "I don't know. We might need to find other fragments, or special tools."

He walked to the edge of the array to inspect the damage.

Most of the nodes were intact, except for one node with a tiny crack on its surface. That was a mark left by the Flowing Shadow Spiral Impact.

"Is it still usable?" Kurogane asked.

"Barely." Zhou Yang reached out and touched the crack. "But if there's another impact of this intensity next time, it might collapse completely."

He stood up and looked towards the cave entrance.

The sunlight had completely covered the valley floor, and the morning mist had completely dissipated. The distant mountain ranges were clearly outlined, like a meticulously painted landscape.

"Let's take a break first," Zhou Yang said, "and then continue looking for other nodes."

Qin Shuang nodded, walked to the side and sat down, beginning to wipe her longsword. Hei Gang, on the other hand, was inspecting the energy core of the magnetic array, occasionally emitting soft metallic clanging sounds.

Zhou Yang sat down against the rock wall.

He took the two fragments out of his pocket and examined them closely. Sunlight shone through the fragments, casting two small spots of light on the ground.

The shape of the light spot was very strange.

It's not a circle, but a complex polygon with finely serrated edges. The shape of the light spot changes constantly as the sun's angle changes.

He suddenly remembered something.

Take out the other fragments obtained earlier from the storage space. These fragments vary in size and shape, and all have a special pattern on their surface.

He spread all the pieces on the ground.

Sunlight pierced through each fragment, creating different spots of light on the ground. Some looked like stars, some like the moon, and some like an open palm.

These spots of light intertwined on the ground, forming a strange pattern.

Zhou Yang stared at the pattern, his eyes widening.

Those light spots were not random.

They are arranged in a particular way, like fragments of some kind of map. If viewed from the right angle, you can even see some blurry lines.

"Kurogiri, come here for a second."

Kurogane walked over and looked at the spots of light on the ground: "What's wrong?"

"Adjust the angle of the light," Zhou Yang said, pointing to several fragments. "Align these light spots."

Black Steel did as instructed.

He carefully moved several fragments, adjusting their angles. Soon, the spots of light on the ground began to merge. The blurry lines gradually became clearer, eventually forming a complete pattern.

It was a spiral-shaped symbol.

The symbol has a point at its center, from which countless curves spiral outwards, eventually converging into an arrow.

The arrow points southeast.

Qin Shuang also came over.

"This is..."

"Some kind of guidance." Zhou Yang's voice was a little hoarse. "It seems these fragments are not just parts, but also keys."

He stood up and looked southeast.

There stretched a range of mountains, shrouded in mist and clouds, seemingly endless. But in this direction, one peak stood out conspicuously. Its shape was peculiar, resembling an inverted sword.

Broken Sword Peak, the main peak of the Black Rock Mountains.

Zhou Yang recalled the coordinates the system had given him.

The Black Rock Mountains...

Could that be the final destination?

He carefully put the pieces back together.

"Let's go," he said.

"To Broken Sword Peak?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang nodded.

But as soon as he took a step, he suddenly felt dizzy. His lifespan had been depleted too much, and his body was beginning to protest.

He steadied himself against the rock face and took several deep breaths.

"Are you alright?" Qin Shuang held his arm.

"It's nothing," Zhou Yang waved his hand. "I'm just a little tired."

He sat down against the rock wall, took out a bottle of recovery medicine from his pocket, poured out a pill, and swallowed it. The medicine was mild, but it would take time.

Qin Shuang remained silent, simply standing quietly to the side. Hei Gang, on the other hand, re-examined the nodes to ensure they were in optimal condition.

The sunlight grew increasingly intense.

The temperature at the bottom of the valley began to rise, and a humid, stifling heat filled the air. The chirping of cicadas drifted from afar, intermittent and like some ancient code.

Zhou Yang closed his eyes, feeling the medicinal effects spreading throughout his body.

The deficit in lifespan needs time to make up for, but some opportunities, once missed, will never come again.

He recalled the feeling when he captured the fragment.

The two fragments showed a clear affinity when they approached him. It wasn't a physical attraction, but more like... a process of recognizing a master.

[System notification: Initial resonance detected between the host and the fragment. Resonance level: 12%.]

It seems these fragments really do have a special connection to him.

Zhou Yang opened his eyes and looked into the distance.

Broken Sword Peak loomed in and out of view in the sunlight, like a puzzle waiting to be solved. And the road leading there was clearly not smooth.

But he had no way out.

"Have you rested well?" Qin Shuang asked.

Zhou Yang stood up and stretched his limbs. The medicine was starting to take effect, and the weakness in his body had lessened considerably.

"Let's go."

He led the way out of the cave.

Qin Shuang and Hei Gang followed.

The three figures cast long shadows in the sunlight, like three swords about to be drawn. Their footsteps echoed through the valley, firm and powerful.

The road ahead is still long.

But at least the direction is clear.

Four Symbols Mirror Domain (Closed Loop 2 - Burst)

Morning light filtered through the mountain shadows, gradually burying the stone steps in the black water. Zhou Yang left behind a fan-shaped hat to block out the light. Stone feet and ice stones remained, sweat stains like carved wounds, a pile of tattered cloth pads on his back exposing his flesh. He pressed his legs and pulled on the buttons, dragging the maple branches at his disadvantage, recording the trembling sound of each vibration. The wind filled his mouth, his breath like surging waves.

Fragments scattered. Shattered glass was exposed with a creak, and ice shards fell in the rain. In the neon light matrix, a red light ignited a serpentine dragonfly. Zhou Yang's hand was taut, revealing two glaring lines. His eyelashes curled into sharp points, and his pupils focused.

The nodes at this moment are quadruple overlapping:

The light waves in front broke the seal; the afterglow behind rushed towards the Golden Gate wall; the hanging cage on the left was half-fallen; the maple leaves piled on the ice on the right. The breath condensed, and the air thickened with the friction of the hinges.

No one responded. The roar of the germanium rat could be heard not far away, coming from the side of the wind. Zhou Yang's steps were like a piercing blade, suddenly appearing. To the left was the shockwave of the alumina stream, colliding with the debris on the right like stones clashing. The stones gleamed, but the exposed skeletal remains contrasted sharply with the exposed breathing chambers.

He took out the stone from his hand and touched the edge of the ice; the frozen flow stopped. The vibration spread, resonating through his limbs. Pain gradually manifested in his body—his left foot. Then it was crushed again, the bones shattering into fragments of the Qinyu ring. Zhou Yang paused, yet remained motionless.

At this moment, all the nodes surrounding him become prominent:

The shield-armored trousers in front were slightly loose at the hem; maple branches twisted into arrowheads; Fang Tian's film swept through every corner in the thick fog.

The Black Rock Mountains echoed behind them, splitting open as if to say—who left this place?

Zhou Yang gripped the stone platform above, his fingertips digging into a rhythmic tapping motion. The sounds echoed and repeated, gradually fading before reappearing.

Symbols emerge from the fragments—an arrow pointing to a low mountain and inscriptions on a stone gate. The observer ventures deeper and discovers oracle bone carvings on a maple leaf. Zhou Yang's hand inexplicably and leisurely tears open, his fingertips piercing bone, revealing a silhouette as dark as a cave buried in the soil.

He took a half step back, his heel pressing against the hinge. The remaining bloodstains on the right and left walls formed new shapes—like burn marks from a war furnace. But his eyes were obscured by other gazes. Here, reality and fiction intertwined in a cold, icy way.

He encountered a suspended gold and silver flake, its surface bearing the marks of rain-soaked impacts. Zhou Yang turned back, his fingers tearing at the fragments, gently touching the soft halo of the gold petals. Suddenly, the pulse of time began to pull back—

The mountain collapsed, revealing a misty landscape, and the direction suddenly changed. The black rock behind reappeared, forming a newly closed circular barrier. When the two overlapped, the world suddenly split into two levels of universe.

-

The promise, never spoken, has become a reality. Time shifts out of thin air, remembered only by the muscles. Zhou Yang's foot lands on the ground, toes touching the stone as he steps down—a silent transformation in that instant.

The stone gate trembled slightly, and Fang Tong felt a tightness in his throat. Gravity returned to its original state, just as it had there, leaving him no choice. The fragments behind him arranged themselves into a star-like array, and Zhou Yang turned and touched a pot-shaped engraving on a bronze vessel (its identity unknown). His feet lightly brushed against the golden flowerpot, while his fingertips dared not touch the unseen hot pot or kettle on the ground.

Previously, there were four points of connection; now, they've reorganized into other structures? The stark silence of the stone wall, the body exposed to the sun in the shadows, the cooling and heating of scattered fragments. The impact and cooling of that day intertwined; once the rift finally broke, what followed was inevitable.

The observer gazes upward from afar, holding an undocumented compass. Zhou Yang slowly lowers his head, feeling a tremor upon landing—even if it's not inevitable. The final hovering is precisely the inevitability of this moment; here, only fragmented nodes and unreached unknowns remain.